Bumba

Bumba Pérez-Miles, Bonaldo & Miglio, 2014 is a Neotropical theraphosid genus erected to replace the preoccupied name Maraca, with a distribution centered on the Amazon basin of Brazil and adjacent portions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The genus includes B. cabocla, B. horrida, B. lennoni — named in honor of the musician John Lennon — and several additional species described following the generic revision.

Species of Bumba are medium-sized terrestrial theraphosids that inhabit primary and secondary humid lowland forest, where they construct silk-lined burrows at the base of trees, within root systems, or beneath coarse woody debris. Adult leg span typically ranges between 4 and 5.5 inches, and the integument is generally dark with variable reddish, golden, or olive setal highlights on the carapace and opisthosoma. The femora and patellae of mature specimens often display a subtle iridescence under direct illumination.

Diagnostic characters of the genus include the morphology of the male palpal bulb, the configuration of the female spermathecae, and details of the stridulatory setae on the maxillae and chelicerae. As New World theraphosids, Bumba species possess urticating setae of Types I and III and deploy them defensively. Venom is not considered medically significant, and temperament is generally retiring, with individuals favoring refuge retreat over active defense.

Captive husbandry parallels that of other terrestrial Amazonian theraphosines: stable warm temperatures, moderately deep substrate, elevated humidity, and a secure starter burrow are required for long-term success. Reproductive output is moderate, and growth rates are intermediate between the fast-growing Acanthoscurria and slower-developing Andean lineages.

Species Archive Card

Bumba horrida

Amazonian Black Earth Tiger

Photo: Luxe Inverts
Field Note

Bumba horrida (Schmidt, 1994) is a Neotropical fossorial theraphosid of Amazonian Brazil, transferred to the genus Bumba erected by Pérez-Miles, Bonaldo, and Miglio in 2014. The genus was circumscribed to resolve the polyphyly of earlier placements (notably Iracema and Maraca) using a combination of spermathecal, tibial apophysis, and scopulation characters. Despite the specific epithet, the species is not defensively notable relative to other Amazonian Theraphosinae; the name references the thickset body habitus rather than temperament.

Range
Amazon Basin of northern Brazil, with records from Pará and neighboring states. Primary-forest understory at low elevation.
Lifestyle
Fossorial; excavates deep, silk-lined burrows in clay-loam soils. Sit-and-wait ambush predator from the burrow entrance. Nocturnal.
Adult Size
Females reach roughly 4.5–5.5 in diagonal leg span; males smaller and more gracile (~3.5–4 in). Short-lived adult males typical of Theraphosinae.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperament
Retiring and slow to display. Primary defense is retreat into the burrow; when cornered, ejects Type I urticating setae from the opisthosoma by the hind legs. Biting is rare and venom is not considered medically significant.
Habitat
Humid Amazonian lowland forest with deep, well-drained clay-loam substrates. Expects substrate depth of at least 6–8 in for adult burrows, moderate ventilation, and consistent warm temperatures.
Theraphosinae Fossorial Amazonian Type I urticating setae Slow-growing
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